Jordana
Jordana knocked at Allenby's front door but there was no answer. She walked over to the garage that was closed and peeked through its window. She could see her truck with the hood open. The lights were off and it was clear there was no one inside.
Jordana walked over to the street and got inside the passenger's seat of Noah's jeep. "Doesn't look like there's anyone home."
"That's so strange," said Noah. "It's not like Allenby to leave a customer hanging."
"She's probably grieving Ivy. It's okay. I completely understand."
"Should we head back home?"
"Actually." Jordana shifted on her seat as she turned her whole body towards Noah. He had a clear view of her cleavage and did his best not to stare. She knew what she was doing. "Can you do me a couple of favors?"
Noah had to look away, turning his head to his window. "A couple of favors? What are they?"
"First favor, can we look for Domingo?"
"Domingo?" said Noah, surprised as he turned to her. "Why do you want to see that drunk?"
"Be nice, farm boy," said Jordana, seductively. "You don't want to ruin your good boy reputation."
"I don't have a good boy reputation."
"You don't?" she said as she put her finger on his muscular arm and brushed it up and down. "Because that was the impression I had when I first met you and I like good boys."
Noah had to turn away again as he got red. "We can look for him, but I don't know for what."
"Aren't you curious by what he said last night?"
"No, he was drunk like he always is."
"Maybe true but it piqued my curiosity."
"You shouldn't entertain that man. He needs to get his life together."
"Then we'll help him get it together. I want to buy him some food today."
Noah looked at her, staring into her eyes, then turned his jeep on. "You're nice too. I also like nice girls."
Jordana smiled as she got comfortable in her seat. "Thank you Noah. It's never a bad thing to help the less fortunate."
Noah drove around town for about a half an hour when they finally found Domingo coming out of the police station. Noah drove next to Domingo as Jordana poked her head out.
"Hey Domingo," she said.
He stopped and looked at her. He leaned forward as he got a really good look at her before standing up straight. "Do I know you?"
Jordana let out a slight chuckle then put her hand over her chest. "Oh, you don't remember me," she teased. "I'm so hurt."
"I'm sorry." Domingo was fidgeting with his hands as if he didn't know what to do. "My mind isn't always there and I forget a lot of things." He stared at her. "But I can't believe I could forget someone as beautiful as you."
Noah rolled his eyes.
"You're sweet," said Jordana. "You're sober right now, aren't you."
"I am."
"That's a first," said Noah.
"Stop," said Jordana as she turned to Noah. "Don't be rude."
Noah turned away. "Sorry," he said under his breath.
Jordana returned her attention to Domingo, who clearly felt uncomfortable. "Are you alright?"
"Not really, but don't worry about me."
"How about we treat you to something to eat?"
Domingo seemed to lighten up to the idea of food while Noah seemed to be annoyed. "Are you sure about that? Not a lot of places would even let me enter their establishments."
"I wonder why," said Noah, sarcastically.
"Then we'll buy you the food and bring it to you," said Jordana. "Actually, I have a great idea. How about we have a picnic together."
"Seriously," said Noah.
"Not necessary," said Domingo. "But I wouldn't mind some breakfast."
"We can do that," said Jordana. "Get in the jeep we'll get you something."
"Nope," said Noah as he turned his jeep off. "We can just walk across the street and get something from the bakery." Noah got out of the vehicle as Jordana noticed the bakery for the first time.
Jordana looked at Domingo. "Is that okay?"
"That works," he answered with a nod.
Jordana got out of the vehicle and the three of them crossed the street. Domingo stopped right before going inside. Jordana grabbed Noah's arm before he could enter. She looked at Domingo. "What would you like?"
"Anything is fine."
"Get plenty of food for the three of us," Jordana said to Noah. "I'll pay for it." She offered Noah her credit card but he waved her off.
"I got it."
"Plenty of food," repeated Jordana as she offered her credit card again. "I want the three of us to eat well."
"It's alright. I got it. The three of us will have a fulfilling breakfast." Noah went inside.
Jordana and Domingo went over to a table and sat down. The table had four chairs and Jordana and Domingo sat across from each other.
"You're very kind," said Domingo.
"Not really," said Jordana. "I'm decent. Are people usually not decent to you?"
"Not really, but that's my fault," said Domingo. "I've kinda burned a lot of bridges in my life."
"Because of the drinking?"
"Among other things, but yes, mostly the drinking. What are you doing here anyways? Do you have family in town?"
Jordana laughed. "We went over this when we first met."
"I'm sorry. I really don't remember meeting you." Domingo played with his hands as he couldn't keep eye contact with Jordana.
"It's okay. I know the drink messes with our minds."
"Sometimes I think I should stop, but other times, I remember why I drink in the first place."
"And what reason is that?"
"Because I'd rather forget."
"What do you…" Jordana hesitated. "Never mind."
"Thank you for not pushing," said Domingo as Noah returned with a large bag of food.
"I got a little bit of everything," said Noah as he set the bag on the table. Noah emptied out the bag, putting the containers around the table. "There's scramble eggs, omelets, pancakes, bacon, sausages and hash browns," he said as he pointed to every individual container. "I'll go get us our drinks, but you can start without me."
"Thank you Noah," said Jordana.
"Yeah, thank you," said Domingo.
"You're welcome," said Noah as he went back inside.
"Was he one of those bridges you burned?" Jordana asked Domingo.
"I don't know. Most of the bridges I burned I wasn't in the right state of mind."
"I think you can probably rebuild those bridges if you clean yourself up," said Jordana. "Just a suggestion."
Noah returned with the drinks and put one in front of Jordana and Domingo. He took a seat next to Jordana. "I said you guys could start without me."
"The least we could do was wait for you," said Jordana as she reached for one of the containers. "But I definitely will be having the omelet."
Noah grabbed one of the scrambled egg containers while Domingo grabbed the one with the pancakes.
Jordana took a bite of her food and made a pleasurable sound. "This is really good," she said as she chewed her food.
Both Noah and Domingo smiled at her then started to eat their food. The table was quiet as they ate. Jordana finished her omelet and drank orange juice.
"Domingo," she said. "I'm sorry for asking this, but you and Ivy were close, right?"
Domingo took a large gulp as he swallowed his food. "Yes," he said in a very low voice. "She was also kind to me. Probably the kindest person I ever met." Both Noah and Jordana could see Domingo's eyes getting glossy.
"Do you remember what you said last night at her memoriam?"
Domingo's face got very serious as he remembered. "Not really, but it got me rightfully arrested."
"If you know you were rightfully arrested, you must remember what you said."
"I said something really stupid during a time when everyone was honoring her." Domingo looked directly into Jordana's eyes. "This would be one of those things I really would like not to ever remember."
"I understand that, but why would you say that in the first place? Did you see something the night Ivy died?"
Noah was taken aback by the question but stayed silent.
"I must not have," said Domingo. "Doesn't matter how drunk I was, I would have tried to fight the bear that killed her."
"Is that why you said it wasn't a bear that killed her?" asked Jordana.
Domingo seemed to get uncomfortable with the question. His body went stiff and he stood a little taller. He stopped eating. "Did I say that?"
"Yes you did," said Noah. "Right in front of everyone during her memoriam. Matias finished this really touching song and you ruined everyone's mood with your sudden declaration."
Jordana touched Noah's arm, causing him to look at her. She shook her head, indicating to stop.
"I don't remember doing that," said Domingo. "Is that why I was arrested?"
"They didn't tell you why you got arrested?" asked Jordana.
"No. They said I was really drunk as usual and released me."
"They didn't question you about last night?"
"No, but it's because I was drunk. Making a fool out of myself like always." Domingo stood up. "I'm sorry, but I should go."
Jordana quickly stood up. "Wait. Did you see Ivy that night after she left the tavern?"
"I don't remember. I don't remember much of anything nowadays."
"So you don't remember someone else killing Ivy?"
"What are you saying?" whispered Noah, but Jordana waved him off.
Domingo seemed to be lost in thought, as if trying to remember. "I remember finding her." His face scrunched up as he held his tears. "She had a really nasty cut on her stomach. I remember trying to stop the bleeding. I think I went to look for help but that's it."
"You found her?" asked Noah. "Did you report it to the police?"
"No. When I woke up the next day." He stopped and hesitated to continue. "I went to get another drink. I forgot what happened the night before."
"Ivy was already dead?" asked Jordana.
"I don't remember. I had forgotten about her until I found out what happened."
"There must have been blood on your clothes if you tried to help."
"I… I changed my clothes when I saw how dirty they were."
"Where are those clothes now?"
"The garbage truck must have taken it. I threw them away."
"You never told the police about this?" asked Jordana.
"No."
"You should. They should know you were the first one to find her body." Jordana grabbed some of the containers and offered it to Domingo. "Take this with you."
Domingo took the containers. "Thank you."
"Tell the police what you saw, okay."
"Okay."
Domingo left and Jordana sat down next to Noah.
"What does it matter if he tells the police he found Ivy first? Doesn't change anything."
"I'm not sure about that," said Jordana. "The way he describes finding the body makes it sound like it wasn't an animal attack. They said Ivy's body was destroyed by whatever attacked her, but Domingo said she had a really bad cut on her stomach."
"He was drunk. Probably didn't know what he was seeing."
"I know for a fact he didn't know what he was looking at. That's why he's so messed up right now. What he saw and what was reported were two very different things."
"You don't think it was a bear that killed Ivy?"
"I think there's more going on than what we know." answered Jordana.